Angel rummaged through her bedroom wardrobe for what felt like forever before finally settling on the knee-length dress she'd bought but never worn.
Most of her closet was filled with practical shirts and trousers suitable for daily wear—clothes that allowed for easy movement and helped her blend in with her fellow Nighthawk teammates.
But last night, Melissa Moretti had knocked on her door with a pleading expression, suggesting she "wear something different from usual."
After repeated questioning, Melissa finally revealed the truth: she'd made a bet with her brother Klein that if Angel wore her usual clothes to the celebration, Melissa would lose 50 pence.
Though Angel suspected the authenticity of this wager, she agreed to the small request, considering Melissa had come all the way to her house in the middle of the night.
Changing into the long skirt and conservative top was the biggest concession she was willing to make! But as a Nighthawk and a Beyonder, for her own safety and that of those around her, some things were non-negotiable.
She strapped the "Thirst" holster and dagger sheath to her left and right thighs using leg bands. After smoothing down the skirt, she checked herself in the mirror from various angles—the loose fabric concealed the weapons perfectly without any strange bulges. The magic pocket watch that normally wrapped around her left wrist had to go into her jacket pocket instead.
This way, even if danger strikes, I'll have fighting power. At least I can protect Melissa and Benson...
After tying back her long hair, Angel finally left her bedroom. The pocket watch and spare bullets clinked together with a discordant rattling that made her sigh. She returned to her room and removed most of the bullets, leaving only the golden "Shattered Light Ray" and a few "Storm Convergence" rounds in her pocket, storing the rest in her nightstand drawer.
Maybe I should buy a handbag like Rozanne's...
But it's just a small celebration at North District Park, not far from the Nighthawks' station. I shouldn't need that many bullets...
Lost in thought, she descended the stairs to the ground floor parlor.
"Good morning, Miss Angel."
Tromey was polishing the tea table in the living room. Seeing Angel come downstairs, she greeted her with a smile.
The maid had just passed her trial period with the Moretti family and had become their full-time servant. Besides cleaning and laundry, she was now responsible for breakfast and dinner. The kind-hearted Benson had set her weekly wage at 6 soli, including room and board.
From what Angel knew, this exceeded the average wage for similar servants in Tingen, suggesting Benson intended to help her out.
Combined with the 2 soli she earned from cleaning and laundry at the Granger house each week, this poor girl who had recently lost her father shouldn't have to worry about making ends meet.
With a stable workplace, she'd have more time to study complex culinary skills and might become a cook for a wealthy family in a few years, leading a more respectable life.
After a simple breakfast, Angel left home and stepped onto the bustling Narcissus Street. It was already 9 AM, and the Sunday streets had shed their usual bustle for a more leisurely atmosphere.
Although Klein had switched shifts with the usually off-duty Cohen Leigh and didn't need to guard the Chanis Gate today, he still had work to coordinate with Leonard. He'd left early for the Blackthorn Security Company. Angel met up with Melissa and Benson and took a hired carriage to Red Moon Street in North District.
On the carriage, Melissa looked at Angel with relief.
"Angel, I knew you wouldn't wear those androgynous clothes today. Klein will definitely be pleasantly surprised."
Hm? Weren't you the one who came over last night asking me to dress this way?
Angel looked at Melissa in confusion.
The latter guiltily averted her gaze, then turned back as if remembering something. "Angel, I wanted to ask—well, Klein wanted me to ask—in your eyes, what kind of person is he?"
By the end, her face was full of expectation.
Watching the girl's expressions shift and her eyes flicker, Angel chuckled softly. "A good person?"
"Ah?"
Melissa let out a confused sound and looked helplessly at Benson.
"Ahem," Benson cleared his throat theatrically. "Look, we've arrived at Red Moon Street."
Angel also turned her gaze to the carriage window, watching as the buildings along the street gradually gave way to rows of trees.
She could certainly hear the implication in Melissa's words and knew what kind of answer the girl expected.
But she herself...
She lowered her head, her expression growing dim.
Inside the Blackthorn Security Company.
Klein was conversing with Leonard, who had just returned to the company. The latter had discovered a letter left by Lanevus while searching his former hideout.
"A bomb that grows stronger over time? How could such a thing exist?"
Klein asked curiously.
He'd already hung his windbreaker and top hat on the coat rack, leaving only his white shirt and brown vest. Combined with his meticulously groomed black hair, he did look younger, just as his sister Melissa had said.
Leonard, on the other hand, looked as if he'd been running around all night. His black hair was disheveled, his windbreaker unbuttoned as usual, his shirttails hanging loosely outside his belt.
"Not only that, but it's incredibly powerful. Lanevus says if we don't find this bomb, all of Tingen will become ruins."
He said with a dark expression, handing Klein the envelope without an address or recipient.
"Looking at this letter alone, it's more likely a prank, since he's a convicted fraud with a history of lying—he even abandoned his pregnant fiancée without a second thought."
"But this person is connected to the Aurora Order, and they're known for bloody sacrificial rituals. That makes me think of the 'Cursed Altar' we destroyed at the end of July—that was also a curse that grew stronger with each sacrificed offering..."
After hearing Leonard's analysis and quickly reading through the letter, Klein looked up in shock. "You mean Lanevus prepared a similar evil ritual that will eventually affect all of Tingen as time passes?"
"Look, his letter describes it like this," Leonard pointed to a passage in the letter. "...Constantly dying child laborers, workers who perish early from harsh conditions and overwork, factories shrouded in countless resentments... If these are the power source for that 'bomb,' it might be far more powerful than the previous 'Cursed Altar.'"
"Either way, we need to report this to the Captain immediately and have him request help from the Holy Cathedral. Through the resentment collected by this constantly strengthening 'bomb,' we might be able to find its location." Klein waved the letter and looked toward Dunn's office.
"That's exactly why I rushed back. Lorotta went to Tingen Police Headquarters to review records of recent construction and renovation projects. Maybe we can find clues about the 'bomb'—something affecting the entire city would have made quite a commotion during construction."
Leonard replied.
The two walked one after the other through the reception hall, passing Rozanne's puzzled gaze as they crossed the partition toward Dunn's office.
"By the way, you switched shifts with Cohen Leigh today to take a day off, uh, to go on a date?"
Leonard, walking ahead, suddenly slowed down and turned around with an awkward smile forcing its way onto his serious face.
"Where did you hear that? I'm just going to visit the newly renovated park nearby with my family..." Klein instinctively denied it, but a depressing thought surfaced in his mind:
My day off might really be ruined...
He sighed and turned his gaze toward the window. The clamor from the nearby park seemed to cross the street and reach his ears.